Clemson's March Madness Hopes Dwindle After Loss to Florida State

Tigers suffer fourth straight defeat, dropping to projected No. 8 or No. 9 seed for NCAA Tournament

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Clemson basketball's NCAA Tournament chances are in jeopardy after the Tigers suffered their fourth consecutive loss, falling 70-65 to Florida State. The loss drops Clemson from a projected No. 6 seed to a No. 8 or No. 9 seed, and the Tigers must win at least two more regular-season games to ensure a March Madness bid.

Why it matters

Clemson was in position to be in first place in the ACC standings before the losing streak, but now the Tigers' NCAA Tournament hopes are free falling. This loss to Florida State marks Clemson's first four-game skid since February 2022, putting the team's March Madness streak of two straight appearances in serious jeopardy.

The details

Clemson coach Brad Brownell gave his team the day off from practice after the previous loss to Wake Forest, hoping to recharge the Tigers' spirits. However, the strategy did not work, as Clemson fell to Florida State despite taking 10 more shots and securing 10 offensive rebounds. The Seminoles' game plan to limit Clemson's bigs and dare the Tigers to shoot 3-pointers worked, as Clemson shot 10-of-33 from beyond the arc. Florida State guard Robert McCray V scored 22 of his 29 points in the second half to lead the Seminoles to victory.

  • Clemson lost to Wake Forest on Feb. 18.
  • Clemson lost to Florida State on Feb. 21 at Littlejohn Coliseum.
  • Clemson's next game is against No. 21 Louisville on Feb. 28.

The players

Brad Brownell

Clemson's head basketball coach who gave the team the day off from practice after the previous loss in an attempt to recharge the Tigers' spirits.

Robert McCray V

Florida State guard who scored 29 points, including 22 in the second half, to lead the Seminoles to victory over Clemson.

RJ Godfrey

One of Clemson's two leading scorers, along with Carter Welling, who was limited by Florida State's game plan to crowd the paint.

Carter Welling

One of Clemson's two leading scorers, along with RJ Godfrey, who was limited by Florida State's game plan to crowd the paint.

Dillon Hunter

Clemson guard who said the team is "coming back to compete" after the four-game losing streak.

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What they’re saying

“This team did an unbelievable job to win 20 games, but now we really want 21, and 21 has become hard.”

— Brad Brownell, Clemson Head Coach (greenvilleonline.com)

“We're coming back to compete, definitely.”

— Dillon Hunter, Clemson Guard (greenvilleonline.com)

“Our approach was good because I thought our guys had a lot of energy. We were excited to play. Robert McCray just beat us.”

— Brad Brownell, Clemson Head Coach (greenvilleonline.com)

What’s next

Clemson must win at least two more regular-season games to ensure another March Madness bid heading into the ACC Tournament. The Tigers' most winnable game remaining is against Georgia Tech at home on March 7.

The takeaway

Clemson's four-game losing streak has put the Tigers' NCAA Tournament hopes in serious jeopardy, dropping them from a projected No. 6 seed to a No. 8 or No. 9 seed. The team must win at least two more games to secure a March Madness bid, raising questions about whether Brownell's strategy of giving the team a day off was the right move to snap the skid.